In Bhagavad Gita 17.15, Krishna says speech that causes no distress, is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, and the regular recitation of scripture, are called austerity of speech.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं
सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव
वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १७-१५ ॥
anudvegakaraṃ vākyaṃ
satyaṃ priyahitaṃ ca yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṃ caiva
vāṅmayaṃ tapa ucyate
English transliteration anudvegakaram vaakyam
satyam priyahitam cha yat
svaadhyaayaabhyasanam chaiva
vaanmayam tapa uchyate ॥ 17.15 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Speech that causes no distress, that is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, and the regular practice of the study of scripture: these are called austerity of speech.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अनुद्वेगकरम् anudvegakaram | causing no distress an (not) + udvega (distress) + karam (causing) |
| वाक्यम् vākyam | speech |
| सत्यम् satyam | truthful |
| प्रियहितम् priyahitam | pleasant and beneficial priya (pleasant) + hitam (beneficial) |
| च ca | and |
| यत् yat | which |
| स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनम् svādhyāyābhyasanam | regular practice of the study of scripture svādhyāya (study of scripture) + abhyasanam (practice) |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | also |
| वाङ्मयम् vāṅmayam | of speech |
| तपः tapaḥ | austerity |
| उच्यते ucyate | is called |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–nud–ve–ga–ka–raṃ vāk–yaṃ 8 syllables a-nud-ve-ga-ka-ram vaak-yam
- sat–yaṃ pri–ya–hi–taṃ ca yat | 8 syllables sat-yam pri-ya-hi-tam cha yat
- svādh–yā–yābh–ya–sa–naṃ cai–va 8 syllables svaadh-yaa-yaabh-ya-sa-nam chai-va
- vāṅ–ma–yaṃ ta–pa uc–ya–te || 17-15 8 syllables vaan-ma-yam ta-pa uch-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 17 Verse 15
Context
Krishna describes the three kinds of austerity (17.14–17.16).
Meaning
Austerity of speech has four qualities: it is anudvega-kara, not upsetting; satya, true; priya, pleasant; and hita, beneficial. Regular recitation of sacred texts is also austerity of speech.
This is a complete guide to right speech. Before speaking, ask: is it true, is it kind, is it helpful, and will it cause needless distress?
In Practice
Before speaking today, check whether your words are true, kind and helpful.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Threefold Nature of Faith). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.